Police are hunting this man after thugs carried out a violent attack on a moving ice cream van.

Detectives want to speak to Michael Synott, 19, after the robbery on Chain Road, Blackley.

Police are hunting this man after thugs carried out a violent attack on a moving ice cream van.

Detectives want to speak to Michael Synott, 19, after the robbery on Chain Road, Blackley.

The victim was driving his van down Symond Road when he noticed youths throwing bottles at his van.

He tried to speed away along Chain Road but the offenders caught up with him and one managed to jump into the moving van through the serving hatch.

He got the victim into a headlock and threatened to stab him if he didn't stop the van.

The victim slammed on the brakes and the offender continued with his attack.

As the ice cream seller tried to get out, the offender pinned him against the side of the van while another youth jumped in and stole cash.

The pair then fled following the attack, which happened at around 6pm on Friday, March 23.

Detective Inspector Andrew Naismith said: “When this attack took place we carried out a thorough inquiry which has led us to believe that Synott has vital information for us.

“A number of inquiries have been made to trace him but still he remains at large. We would urge anyone with information as to his whereabouts to call us and we would like to make it clear that anyone who is found to be harbouring him faces a criminal investigation of their own.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 3566 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Our newspapers include the flagship Manchester Evening News - Britain's largest circulating
regional daily with up to 130,485 copies - as well as 20 local weekly titles across Greater
Manchester, Cheshire and Lancashire.

Free morning newspaper, The Metro, published every weekday, is also part of our portfolio,
delivering more than 200,000 readers in Greater Manchester.

Greater Manchester Business Week is the region’s number one provider of business news andfeatures, targeting a bespoke business audience with 12,687 copies every Thursday.

Every month, M.E.N. Media’s print products reach 2.2 million adults, spanning from Accrington
in the north to Macclesfield in the south.